Trenton Public Schools deploy energy-saving facility upgrades.

The Challenge

In Trenton, Michigan, school pride runs deep with multiple generations of families having walked the same hallways. Unfortunately, most of the district's buildings, which were constructed during the 1950s, were showing their age.

The middle school’s open concept layout had become increasingly problematic. Some classrooms were frigid while others were hot and humid, so teachers and students dressed in layers to stay comfortable. Administrators spent hours responding to temperature complaints and sending custodial staff to the roof to coax the school’s aging HVAC system through another day.

At the same time, the district faced tight budgets and a long list of competing priorities. Trenton Public Schools needed a path forward that would improve comfort for students and teachers without asking more of taxpayers or interrupting learning.

The Solution

Stretching District Dollars

Superintendent Doug Mentzer knew the district had about $2 million remaining from a previous bond, but he understood that the district’s needs could cost far more to address. When Mentzer connected with Trane, the conversation focused on a comprehensive plan supported by a creative financial model. Together, they explored a guaranteed energy savings program that would allow the district to use future utility savings to help repay an energy bond. Lower energy bills would support the upgrades that created savings and stretch remaining bond capacity without adding pressure on taxpayers. “What we were able to do with Trane was take $2 million and literally grow it to an estimated value of $6.5 million in upgrades,” Mentzer said.

Modernizing Critical Systems

With the funding path clear, Trenton Public Schools and Trane mapped out a plan focused on elevating comfort and reliability, while also creating more energy efficient schools. At the middle school, eight new rooftop units replaced failing equipment. Trane also upgraded the building automation system across all buildings. They integrated functional legacy components, so the district didn’t pay to replace equipment that still worked. The updated controls allowed staff to diagnose issues from a phone or computer and eliminated the need to access equipment on the roof.

Improving Learning Environments

In addition to HVAC upgrades, the innovative funding model allowed for additional energy conservation measures, including lighting improvements in multiple buildings and plumbing and electrical upgrades at the high school. All major work took place during summer break, so that learning would not be interrupted. According to Gwen Pettit, Trane’s Comprehensive Sustainability and Financial Solutions Lead, the team listened to district leaders stress the importance of improving daily learning conditions and supporting long-term school district energy savings. “Throughout the project, we just kept coming back to how every decision would affect the students and the community over time,” she said.

The Results

In a single summer, Trane and Trenton Public Schools completed improvements that would have traditionally required years of work. Classrooms that once swung between temperature extremes now hold steady, creating a more consistent and comfortable environment for teaching and learning.

By pairing its remaining bond dollars with a guaranteed energy savings program, the district secured roughly $6.5 million in improvements while remaining committed to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Upgraded equipment and modern controls lower utility costs and help repay the energy bond over time, which strengthens long term financial planning across the district.

Mentzer sees the impact every day. “In the end we are just trying to serve our kids as best we can, and I feel like this has been a great way to do that,” he said.

Together, Trane and Trenton Public Schools creatively addressed decades of challenges over the course of a single summer, elevating classroom conditions and supporting the community well into the future.